Life Events

650. WAGER HULL, 1779-1849, manufacturer, of New York City, son of (317)Joseph and Phebe Palmer Hull, was married Oct. 8, 1801, in BurlingtonMeeting of Friends, to Elizabeth Cox, 1779(???), daughter of Samuel Coxand his wife Sarah Emsley, of Moorstown, N. J. He was the youngest son ofa large family, and after receiving such education as was then to beobtained in private schools, joined his elder brother in New York City.As tallow chandlers and toilet and laundry soap makers, their businesshad rapidly grown to large proportions, and for many years was almost amonopoly in the hands of several of the family. Branching off from theolder house, he securely established himself in business before hismarriage and founded the house known in domestic and foreign trade asWager Hull, Hull & Berling, Wager Hull & Son, Wager Hull's Son, John C.Hull & Sons and J. C. Hull's Sons. They were large exporters and shippersof their own products. The house after an existence of nearly one hundredyears ceased operations only when the main branch of their industry wasdriven from the market by the introduction of illuminating gas and thediscovery of oil wells. Wager Hull was devotedly attached to the religious opinions, doctrinesand principles as held by his pious ancestors who for several generationshad been members of the Society of Friends. Before and after the greatschism in the society, he maintained a consistent position, and joinedwith the orthodox branch at the time of the separation. Throughout life he was wise and zealous in every form of church work andactive in charitable and reformatory projects. He was a student of churchhistory and particularly conversant with the histories of Quaker andPuritan. In several controversies concerning both doctrine and history heheld his own with much dexterity. As an epistle writer he was master ofthe best style then affected and approved by Friends. Living in the daysof the decline of Quakerism he advocated some modification of their'discipline,' and a more liberal and enlightened interpretation of their'law.' Cant and bigotry and its other phase, hypocrisy, he despised andreproved, whether displayed by Quaker or Churchman. The following iscondensed from an obituary notice which appeared in the New York Tribuneof August 22, 1849: For nearly half a century he has sustained the social and businessrelations of an honorable and upright man in this community. . . .. Thehistory of his mercantile career presents a rare exception to theordinary maxims and habits of trade. It has been well remarked by one whowas well acquainted with the ruling principles of his conduct, thatextraordinary uprightness and freedom from selfishness alone preventedhis becoming a man of great wealth. The opportunity was before him, andit was necessary only that he stretch out his hand to seize it; but hechose happiness and an approving conscience rather than superfluousriches. The temptations of gain could not seduce him from the course dictated bymoderate desires and confirmed by deliberate judgment. . . . . Equanimityof disposition was one of the most marked traits of his character. He wasa stranger to passion and resentment, even under circumstances of greattrial and injury. . . . . He was a man of unostentatious benevolence,with a hand always open, and willing to relieve the wants of the poor;and the possession of an income equal to his desires enabled him tofulfill, in this respect, the duties of a brother and a christian. . . .As a religious man, he was free from all color of bigotry. The faithfulobservance of the duties of christian worship, according to his ownconvictions of right, did not prevent him from treating with entirerespect different opinions and modes of service conscientiously adheredto by others. He regarded conduct, not profssion, as the true test ofdevotion and love of God. . . . . In the life of such a man, there ismore to command a sincere admiration than he claimed for the mostbrilliant success in public station, or in the tempting field ofcommercial enterprise; fame and riches win the applause of the world,while real worth is overlooked and neglected; but the actions of men liveafter them, and although their names may be unknown to history, the mostgrateful memories are of the unostentatious good. Wager Hull died at his residence at Mt. Vernon, East River, New YorkCity, after a short and severe illness. He left a fair estate quite ampleto meet all the real and many of the imaginary requirements of thegeneration succeeding him. CHILDREN 1,377. Thomas Emley Hull, b. Aug. 27, 1802; d. in infancy. 1,378. John Cox Hull, b. Nov. 2, 1803; d. in 1875; m. 1829, Caroline Cooper. 1,379. Sarah E. Hull, b. Mar. 10, 1810; d. in 1870; m. William Fox Leggett. 1,380. Phebe Hull, b. July 3, 1812; d. in infancy. 1,381. Elizabeth Cox Hull, b. Sept. 24, 1814; m. 1839, Charles Gibbons. 1,382. Anne Cox Hull, b. Nov. 18, 1816; m. John Tiebout Bruce. 1,383. Phebe Cox Hull, b. Apr. 25, 1818; m. 1842, Edward H. Wood.